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Biology:
The Study of
Life
By: Dr. Iis Nur Asyiah
Introduction to Biology
Objectives :
Define biology.
Identify possible benefits from studying biology.
Summarize the characteristics of living things
Main Idea :
All living things share the characteristics of
life.
Figure 1.1
Research diseases
Many
biologists
research
diseases.
Questions such as What causes the
disease?, How does the body fight the
disease?, and How does the disease
spread? often guide biologists research.
Biologists worldwide are researching new
medicines for such things as lowering
cholesterol
levels,
fighting
obesity,
reducing the risk of heart attacks, and
preventing Alzheimers disease.
Develop technologies
When you hear the word
technology, you might think of
high-speed computers, cell
phones, and DVD players.
However, technology is defined
as the application of scientific
knowledge to solve human
needs and to extend human
capabilities. Figure 1.3 shows
how
new
technologya
bionic
handcan
help
someone who has lost an arm.
Figure 1.3 A
prosthetic bionic
hand is new
technology
that can help
extend human
capabilities.
Figure 1.3 A prosthetic bionic
hand is new technology that can help
extend human capabilities.
Improve agriculture
Some biologists study
the
possibilities
of
genetically engineering
plants to grow in poor
soils or to resist insects,
fungal infections, or frost
damage. Other biologists
research
agricultural
issues to improve food
production to feed the
worlds growing human
population.
The Characteristics of
Life
Have you ever tried to define the
word alive? If you were to watch a
grizzly bear catch a salmon from a
river, you obviously would conclude
that the bear and salmon are both
alive. Is fire alive? Fire moves,
increases in size, has energy, and
seems to reproduce, but how does
fire differ from the bear and salmon?
Displays organization
The
levels
of
organization
in
biological systems begin with atoms
and molecules and increase in
complexity. Each organized structure
in an organism has a specific
function.
Requires energy
Energy is required for all life
processes. Many organisms, like this
squirrel, must take in food. Other
organisms make their own food.
Maintains homeostasis
All
organisms
keep
internal
conditions stable by a process called
homeostasis. For example, humans
perspire to prevent their body
temperature from rising too high.
Main idea :
Science is a process based on inquiry that
seeks to develop explanations.
What is science?
Have you ever wondered how science is
different from art, music, and writing?
Science is a body of knowledge based
on the study of nature.
Biology is a science, as are chemistry,
physics, and Earth science
The nature, or essential characteristic,
of science is scientific inquiry
This volcanologist is
near molten lava
flowing from Mount
Etna.
Lava
temperatures
can
reach 750C.
Section 1.3
What is science?
Have you ever wondered how science is
different from art, music, and writing?
Science is a body of knowledge based on
the study of nature. Biology is a science, as
are chemistry, physics, and Earth science.
The nature, or essential characteristic, of
science is scientific inquiry.
Science is a process based on inquiry
that seeks to develop explanations.
Scientific Methods
Scientific methods are used by scientists
to answer questions and solve problems.
The development of the cell theory, one of
the most useful theories in biological
science, illustrates how the methods of
science work. In 1665, Robert Hooke first
observed cells in cork. He made the
drawing on the right, showing what he
saw.
A.Observing
The first step toward scientific
discovery often takes place when a
scientist observes something no one
has noticed before. After Hookes
discovery, other scientists observed
cells in a variety of organisms.
B. Making a hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable explanation or answer to
a question. In 1824, Ren Dutrochet hypothesized
that cells are the basic unit of life. A scientific
hypothesis must have two important qualities
It must be testable
It must be falsifiable
C. Collecting data
Data can support or disprove a hypothesis. Over
the years, scientists who used microscopes to
examine organisms found that cells are always
present.
D. Publishing results
Results of an investigation are useful only
if they are made available to other
scientists for a peer review. Many
scientists published their observations of
cells in the scientific literature. Scientists
will analyze the procedure, examine the
evidence, identify faulty reasoning, point
out statements that go beyond the
evidence,
and
suggest
alternative
explanations for the same observations.
E. Forming a theory
A theory is a hypothesis that is
supported by a large body of
scientific evidence. By 1839, many
scientific observations supported the
hypothesis
that
cells
are
fundamental to life. The hypothesis
became a theory.
Scientific
Methods
a. Observation
b. Hypothesis
c. Experiment
d. Theory
REVIEW
What is biology?
Living things abound almost everywhere
on Earthin deep ocean trenches, atop
the highest mountains, in dry deserts,
and in wet tropical forests. Biology is the
study of living organisms and the
interactions among them. Biologists use
a variety of scientific methods to study
the details of life.
Soal quiz
Why is energy required for living
things? How do living things obtain
energy?